A Review is being undertaken by the Public Sector Commission into the Commissioner for Children and Young People.

A seven-member reference group, chaired by the Public Sector Commissioner Mal Wauchope, has also been established to guide the review. A report on the review will be provided to the Attorney General by 10 May 2013.

The review will consider:

• the operation and effectiveness of the Act • whether any amendments are required for the Commissioner to undertake the function described in Recommendation 2 of the St Andrew’s Hostel Inquiry.

Meanwhile the Commissioner for Children and Young People has released an updated edition of Improving legislation and policy for children and young peopleguidelines to assist those involved in developing legislation and policy to take into account how legislation or policy impacts on the needs of children and young people in Western Australia. See events for a seminar on legisalation and young people.

The Exposure Draft of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 is being reviewed by the Federal Parliament’s Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Submissions to the inquiry closed 21 Dec 2012 and a inquiry report is due on 18 Feb 2013.

The Attorney General Nicola Roxon, who is promoting the draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination bill, wrote in an article published in the Australian, (10 Jan 2013) that new grounds of protection are proposed for sexuality. This is in addition to grounds based on age, sex, disability and race.

The Exposure Draft of Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 is being reviewed by the Federal Parliament’s Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Submissions to the inquiry closed 21 Dec 2012 and a inquiry report is due on 18 Feb 2013.

The Attorney General Nicola Roxon, who is promoting the draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination bill, wrote in an article published in the Australian, (10 Jan 2013) that new grounds of protection are proposed for sexuality. This is in addition to grounds based on age, sex, disability and race.

A petition that was tabled in the State Parliament early this year has been rejected by the investigating parliamentary committee. The Environment and Public Affairs Committee, of the State Parliament, rejected the petition’s call for an inquiry into abortions carried out in WA. The petition, signed by almost 800 people was the subject of the committee inquiry.

To read the petition, the submission by the tabling member of parliament, Nick Goiran, the submission by the lead petitioner, Warnar Spyker and the response by the Health Minister, Kim Hames click here and scroll down to petition No. 153. For a related petition, scroll down to petition 127 (A request to inquire into Late Term Abortions).

HOPE , the national no to euthanasia organisation led by Paul Russell is asking people to sign up to the Declaration of Hope. The declaration is a statement to all parliamentarians across Australia that you do not accept nor want euthanasia and assisted suicide enabling laws. The declaration comes as the Sunday Times, The West Australian and Community Newspaper Group pick up their pro-euthanasia campaign and comes ahead of legislation before various parliaments across Australia.

Saltshakers reports in its Dec 2012 Journal that “The Tasmanian government is planning more anti-discrimination laws. The Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2012 will add new attributes of ‘gender identity’ and ‘intersex’. The prohibition of conduct that “offends, humiliates, intimidates, insults or ridicules” will be extended to all 20 attributes (instead of the current 7).

“Religious schools will have to apply for an exemption if they wish to decide who can enrol by reference to the parents’ faith -exemptions can only be applied for if there are more children than places available.”

Debate on the Bill started in mid-November.

Action: Saltshakers asks people in Tasmania to please contact their MPs.

Collective Shout is encouraging people to sign a petition that calls for the end of female gendercide in India. It is estimated that 50 million girls have been aborted or killed at birth in India over the past 3 generations.

Collective Shout has also hosted in Sydney the documentary film “Its a girl”. To watch the film trailer and for more information from Collective Shout click here.

Action: Collective Shout ask people to sign the petition which is addressed to the Government of India, The OHCHR, UNICEF, The UNIFEM, The UNFPA, CEDAW, The EU and The G8. So far 118,784 have signed. The target is 500,000.

An investigation into the sexualisation of young children is underway in WA after the State Parliament ordered the Children’s commissioner to tackle the emerging problem, reported the West Australian on 27 Oct 2012. (Watchdog to toughen protection for Kids, by Daniel Emerson). Laws governing billboards, the use of minors in advertising will be scrutinised. Ms Scott has to report in January to the Parliamentary Committee with recommendations. She will be focusing on the Criminal Code.

In March 2012 the Hon Nick Goiran, who has been advocating for an inquiry, moved a motion on the sexualisation of children in the legislative council. For the West Australian story click here.

Meanwhile the Australian Christian Lobby has launched a renewed national campaign to make outdoor advertising G rated. ACL spokeswoman Wendy Francis said “we must protect our children from forming unhealthy attitudes toward women and sex.”

The ACL also reports on a speech by Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley on the importance of addressing the sexualisation of children through highly sexualised advertising.

GREENS MLC, Lynn MacLaren has introduced her Bill (Marriage Equality Bill 2012) into the parliament. To read her comments from Hansard click here. Nick Goiran made a point of order on the legality of the Bill arguing that it could contravene section 109 of the Australian Constitution which gives the Federal Govt the power to legislate on marriage.

For Nick Goiran’s comments from Hansard click here. The Upper House President, Barry House, rejected the point of order, saying it was up to the courts to decide on the legality of bills.